Slamming Telugu Desam Party Chief N Chandrababu Naidu as a "rank opportunist", AICC Secretary and MP U Arun Kumar on Wednesday alleged that the former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister was changing his views on various issues to suit his political needs.
HYDERABAD: Slamming Telugu Desam Party Chief N Chandrababu Naidu as a "rank opportunist", AICC Secretary and MP U Arun Kumar on Wednesday alleged that the former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister was changing his views on various issues to suit his political needs.
Criticising Naidu for his reported promise to strengthen the panchayat raj system if elected to power again, Kumar referred to the "diametrically opposite" views expressed by the former in a book "Plain Speaking", penned by him while in power.
Reading out relevant portions on panchayati raj from the Telugu translation of the book, Kumar said Naidu had raised doubts over the efficacy of the system.
"Having said so, how can now he talk about strengthening the Panchayat Raj? Naidu is contradicting what he had said earlier. What are his principles in politics? He epitomises political opportunism of the worst kind," Kumar alleged.
The book had mainly focussed on issues of governance and reforms.
The Congress leader also cited other examples of Naidu allegedly saying that subsidies needed to be phased out and that chief ministers should also function like "salesmen".
Kumar, also a permanent invitee to the Congress Working Committee, challenged the Opposition leader for a public debate with him on the ideas expressed in the book.
"He need not sit with me. We can take advantage of the technology. He can sit in his office. I will sit in a TV studio or anywhere else.
Let's discuss the views expressed by you (Naidu) in your own book," Kumar said.
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